December 25,2016

Merry Christmas! Christmas is a season of peace. I have two favorite songs that I love to sing during this season. “Oh Holy Night” and “Silent Night”. Each song has three verses, and composers of these two pieces have manage to draw us into the love and peace that happen when the Christ child was born. Take some time to listen to the words and let yourself be drawn to experience the stars brightly shining; the thrill of hope in which the world rejoiced; fall on your knees and hear those angel voices that sang out on the night when Christ was born. Verse three of “O Holy Night” says it all: “truly He taught us to love one another; His law is Love and His Gospel is Peace”. “Silent Night” tells us that it was a silent night and a holy night. Everything was calm and bright. Mother and the Holy infant lie peacefully in a stable. Shepherds, were on the hillsides, admiring the bright star and hearing the Heavenly host singing Alleluia, Christ the Savoir is born! There is nothing more beautiful to imagine the “Son of God’s love’s and the radiant beams glowing from His holy face. So much was given to us on that peaceful, bright night. May you and your families find this peace, love and joy that fills this season. Slow down and take the time with your family to be peaceful, loving and joyful with each other.

God bless, Judy

A Soldier’s Christmas – I share this with all of my veteran friends and for all families who have members serving our Country now. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this little house lived. As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stockings by mantle, just boots filled with sand and on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sobering thought came through my mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary. The home of a soldier, I could now see clearly. The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I picture a United States Soldier. Was this the hero of whom I’d just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here. I couldn’t help wondering how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to one knee and started to cry. The soldier awakened and I hear a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, for this life is my choice”. The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, as we both shivered from the cold night’s chill. I didn’t want to leave, on that cold dark night, this guardian of honor, so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, “Carry on Santa…, It’s Christmas Day…, All is secure. One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend… and to all a Good Night. Author unknown